There were some problems with the MAV.co.za decals.  I’m kind of reluctant to complain too much, because without these, the project would not have started. The obvious problem being the ‘Cookie Cutter’ roundels are in two sizes on the sheet, but only the smaller size applies to the jet. To make up a second pair, the small roundels were scanned and printed to an ALPS printer.  The SA Flag is undersized, and not toned down as it should be.  A grey wash was applied.  The Squadron badge isn’t dark enough - overlaying a second decal corrected this.  The ‘no step’ markings are much too small, (comparison with those on the shoulder wing fences highlights this) and the large ‘01’ number should be grey, not black, and the same goes for the 'cookie cutters'.  So am I some kind of ungrateful joyless sad geek modeler?  Perish the thought. Without these imperfect decals being produced in the first place, there would be no 1/72 SAAF Gripen.  So support your exotic / local decal manufacturer!

The Italeri 1/72 two seater Gripen kit is now reportedly becoming hard to find.  Maybe the Swedes, South Africans, Czechs, Hungarians and now Thai modellers have snapped them all up.  However, there are a couple of nice kits in 1/48 - with the SAAF decal option - one being an enhanced kit with extra resin and etch, of which, more below.  In either scale, indigenous SA weapon stores (although according to the IAPR article, it's unclear at this stage what these would be) would still be required by scratchbuilding, or who knows, perhaps there’s a local resin parts source.  Most likely some guy in Cape Town working away in his garage, with plenty of time on his hands.

According to MAV the Gripen decal sheet has received an update.

Coming soon... SAAF Gripen in 1/48, by Brad Hoskin

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